THE CRESTED CARACARAS FOUND IN FLORIDA APRIL 2014

 From my archives, it was the first time I had ever seen this extraordinary bird. Probably the last time too, though I have seen them on other blogs and in nature photos. It is a Crested Caracaras. I last shared this beauty on my old blog on the date in the title.

When we were driving down the gulf coast of Florida, I saw a flash of two birds scratching in the dirt. They were in the long grass at the side of the road. I had never set eyes on them before. I found them again at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The park is also a rehabilitation center for injured birds. Our Crested Caracaras is a member of the Falcon family. They build large nests in trees, or on the ground, and live 9 to 15 years.

 You can click on this link to learn more.

Added note at 9:49 a.m. on 1/8/26:

Sandra (Madsnapper) left a comment. 

“ I have lived in Florida over 40 years and spent my entire life on the gulf coast many times each year since this is where my mother was born and raised. I say that because I have never seen one of these or even seen a photo or heard of one. Wow and Wow, what a handsome bird.”

Thank you Sandra, you set my curiosity in motion as I wondered if I had my location incorrect, so I did a Google search and found this. I agree with you, it certainly is a handsome bird.

This is what I read. The first thing that jumped out at me was this.

“Status: the Florida population is a relict (leftover) from the Ice Age, making it genetically and federally listed as threatened, with habitat loss being a major concern.”

To continue:

“Yes, Crested Caracas are found in Florida, primarily in the south-central areas like the Kissimmee River Valley, ranch land and prairies, and are considered a distinct, federally protected population (Audubon’s crested cararacara) of this falcon, which looks like a hawk but acts like a vulture, scavenging and walking on the ground like a vulture and walking on the ground in open country.

Key Details:

Habitat: they prefer open landscapes such as wet prairies, ranchlands and pastures with scattered cabbage palms and sabal palms.

Location: common in counties north and southwest of Lake Okeechobee, including Okeechobee, DeSoto, Glades, Highlands, Hendry and Osceola.

Behavior: these falcons often perch on fence posts, walk on the ground and scavenge for food like carrion, reptiles and amphibians, behaving more like vultures than crows.” 

I always appreciate and welcome blogging friends who, by their comments and also questions, encourage me to find out more, so thanks again Sandra.

I thank you all for looking. 

Enjoy the rest of your week.